Transfer of the Body to the Church

OPENING HYMN

(All make the Sign of the Cross)


GREETING

Dear friends in Christ, 

in the name of Jesus 

and of his Church,

we gather to pray 

for our dearly beloved (N...) 

that God may bring him/her 

to everlasting peace and rest. 

We share the pain of loss 

but the promise 

of eternal life gives us hope. 

Let us comfort one another 

with these words.


Let us find courage and faith in the Word of God.

SCRIPTURE VERSE (Rom 6:8-9)

Minister: 

We believe that 

having died with Christ, 

we shall return to life with him.

Christ, as we know, 

having been raised 

from the dead, 

will never die again.

Death has no power 

over him any more. 

(Let us pray in silence.)

Minister: 

Dear friends, 

our Lord comes 

to raise the dead and comforts us 

with the solace of his love. 

Let us praise the Lord Jesus Christ.


Creator of the earth 

to which (N...) now returns, 

in baptism you called him/her 

to eternal life 

to praise your Father forever. 

Lord, have mercy.

Response: Lord, have mercy.


you raise up the just 

and clothe them 

with the glory of your kingdom. 

Lord, have mercy.

Response: Lord, have mercy.


you protect the soul of (N...) 

by the power of your cross 

and on the day of your coming 

you will show mercy 

to all the faithful departed. 

Lord, have mercy.

Response: Lord, have mercy.


at your voice the tombs will open 

and all the just 

who sleep in your peace 

will rise and sing 

the glory of God. 

Lord, have mercy.

Response: Lord, have mercy.


Jesus our Saviour. 

Death is in your hands 

and all the living 

depend on you alone. 

Lord, have mercy.

Response: Lord, have mercy.


(The Minister now sprinkles the body with Holy Water and blesses it.)


THE LORDS' PRAYER 

At the Saviour's command 

and formed by divine teaching, 

we dare to say:

All: 

Our Father, who art in heaven, 

hallowed be thy name; 

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth 

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day 

our daily bread; 

and forgive us our trespasses, 

as we forgive those 

who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil.


CONCLUDING PRAYER

Minister: 

Lord, (N...) is gone now 

from this earthly dwelling 

and has left behind all those 

who mourn his/ her absence.

Grant that we may hold 

his/her memory dear, 

never bitter for what we have lost 

nor in regret for the past, 

but always in hope 

of the eternal kingdom 

where you will 

bring us together again.

This we ask through Christ our Lord.

All : Amen.


INVITATION TO THE PROCESSION

Minister: 

The Lord guards 

our coming in and going out. 

May God be with us today 

as we make this last journey 

with our brother/sister.


CLOSING HYMN